Red Mansion: Seizing Jiangdong, starting with pirates

Chapter 254, The General Who Was Greedy for Merit

Wei Xing is about to attack Hangzhou.

Lin Lin made another suggestion.

While attacking Hangzhou, troops can first be sent across the Qiantang River to occupy Shaoxing, which is next to Hangzhou.

In this way, the two sides can coordinate their actions to surround and annihilate Xu Shaobao within the city.

Lin Lin's strategy was sound; it was indeed a highly efficient tactic that could reduce casualties, maximize gains, and was not very risky.

However, Wei Xing once again rejected Lin Lin's suggestion. He continued with his previous strategy, choosing to attack Hangzhou head-on and advance steadily.

Lin Lin was completely baffled and asked Wei Xing why he did this.

Wei Xing, with his arrogant and aloof nature, glanced at Lin Lin disdainfully and said haughtily:
"What do you know? I am the commander!"

Lin Lin was furious upon hearing this. He was only in his early twenties, a time when he was full of vigor and vitality, and he was extremely dissatisfied with Wei Xing's attitude.

"You scoundrel, so jealous of the talented and virtuous!"

Lin Lin said angrily.

Upon hearing this, Wei Xing responded sharply:
"Ha, you only have this position because of your family background, how dare you say such things?"

Wei Xing said this because Lin Lin was originally a member of the Lin family and was preparing for the imperial examination. However, when Lin Ruhai was helping Fang Yong compile books in Yangzhou, he was short of manpower and tricked Lin Lin into coming to help with the compilation.

Later, Lin Lin could no longer bear the tedium of compiling books, so he decided to abandon his literary pursuits and join the military. He asked Lin Ruhai for a recommendation and joined the Huaiyin Army, which led to what happened later.

It is precisely because of this experience that many people believe that Lin Lin succeeded in his position by relying on the relationship between the Lin family and Fang Yong.

Lin Lin loathed this assessment. He had indeed gained some advantages through Lin Ruhai's recommendation, but he himself was a man of genuine talent and ability. He had made considerable contributions in Fang Yongping's campaign to quell Su Hui's rebellion and was by no means an incompetent person.

Wei Xing's insults to him were truly excessive.

Lin Lin couldn't help but exchange insults with Wei Xing, cursing Wei Xing as a traitor and a villain.

Because Wei Xing was once the leader of the Chishan bandits, but later betrayed them and joined Zhai Xun, he was chosen by Fang Yong.

This sentence directly broke Wei Xing's defenses, and he slammed his fist on the table in anger.

Wei Xing then insulted Lin Lin, calling him a pedantic scholar...

The two exchanged insults inside the tent, neither willing to concede, so they went outside to duel.

Wei Xing picked up a long-handled knife, while Lin Lin drew his sword from his waist.

The two clashed swords, and it must be said that Lin Lin was indeed skilled in martial arts, fighting Wei Xing for more than ten rounds without a clear victor.

However, as the saying goes, "an inch longer, an inch stronger." Lin Lin's longsword was fine for decoration, but it would be a disadvantage in a real fight.

Wei Xing, a veteran of many battles, was very experienced. As the battle continued, the advantages and disadvantages gradually became apparent. Wei Xing gradually cornered Lin Lin and with a single horizontal slash, shattered the crown on Lin Lin's head.

Lin Lin stopped in place, touched the crown on his head, and felt a little scared.

If Wei Xing had severed his head instead of his crown, he would probably be dead.

Moreover, this time he publicly provoked the commander-in-chief, so even if he dies, it will be in vain and no one will seek justice for him.

After figuring everything out, Lin Lin's passion subsided. He looked at Wei Xing, who was standing with his knife, and prepared to bow and apologize to him.

Although he still didn't understand why Wei Xing didn't adopt his plan, he couldn't refuse the fact that the other party had spared his life, and as a gentleman, he couldn't help but feel grateful.

However, at this moment, Wei Xing burst into arrogant laughter and said:

"Hahaha, you pedantic scholar, I've had my eye on you for a long time! In the army, you don't wear a helmet but a crown, what are you pretending for? Your swordsmanship is so weak and feeble, just like a woman's. This time, I'll cut off your crown to teach you a lesson!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Lin's face instantly turned red with anger.

This bastard!

Losing all desire to apologize, Lin Lin turned and left in anger.

Soon after, the Huaiyin army began its attack on Hangzhou. Lin Lin was in charge of one section of the city wall.

He vented his anger on Xu Shaobao, utterly defeating Xu Shaobao's White Lotus Cult members.

Although Xu Shaobao had some influence in Hangzhou, he still couldn't make up for the gap in hard power.

The Huaiyin Army was well-trained, well-equipped, and launched a fierce offensive with constant artillery bombardment—all of which were far superior to the White Lotus Rebels armed with rusty knives and broken guns.

Sometimes, in the midst of the fighting, the White Lotus Sect members' knives, which had been sharpened countless times and were as thin as blades, would be cleaved in two by the Huaiyin Army.

If it weren't for their advantageous terrain, the Huaiyin army could have easily defeated the White Lotus Sect in a single offensive.

The situation is critical.

In order to defend the city, Xu Shaobao had no choice but to use the White Lotus Technique.

They used rituals such as sacrifices and incantations to deceive the soldiers and boost their morale.

Xu Shaobao specially selected some soldiers to cooperate in the performance. Using some tricks of the charlatans, he demonstrated a good show of limb regeneration in front of a crowd. A wisp of smoke flashed by, and a soldier's "severed leg" was reattached in front of everyone.

Afterwards, Xu Shaobao isolated the wounded soldiers separately, preventing them from contacting other soldiers. The soldiers believed this to be true, thinking that Xu Shaobao really had magical powers.

Xu Shaobao also made the longevity balm into special talisman paper, falsely claiming that after being lit, it would bring divine protection, immense strength, and the ability to feel no pain.

The soldiers felt an ecstatic sensation after lighting the fire, unable to feel any pain, which greatly boosted their morale, making them fight with fearlessness.

Upon learning of this situation, Lin Lin suggested using fire to consume all the stored oil at once and burn a large number of enemy soldiers. Since the pain of burning by flames is far greater than that of swords and blades, Xu Shaobao's lies would inevitably be exposed.

This time, Wei Xing finally adopted Lin Lin's plan.

Large quantities of oil drums were carried up and thrown onto the city walls and even into the city.

The rocket was launched, and a fire broke out instantly.

At this moment, countless screams and wails erupted from the White Lotus Sect soldiers.

The effects of those special talismans vanished instantly under the raging flames.

Countless soldiers tumbled and rolled in the flames.

The raging flames burned a soldier so badly that his skin was torn open, and his eyes became like two black holes, making him look like a demon from hell!

The soldier was not dead yet. He struggled to run down the city wall, leaving black footprints with each step. His charred flesh and blood stuck to the ground, a truly horrifying sight.

The soldier ran while screaming in agony, "It hurts! It hurts! Help me!"

With a thud, the soldier fell to the ground, his bare bones exposed beneath his feet.

The morale of the White Lotus Sect's army collapsed instantly.

Apart from the fanatical believers, all the other soldiers who had just been recruited fled.

All those talismans and deities are frauds.

The Huaiyin army watched this horrific scene from outside the city and did not attack the city at that moment.

Because too much oil was added, although a large number of White Lotus sect soldiers were burned and killed, the Huaiyin army was also blocked from entering.

Lin Lin offered another plan: to cross the river ahead of time and intercept Xu Shaobao's retreat.

With morale in Hangzhou now collapsed, Xu Shaobao will definitely choose to abandon the city and flee.

Wei Xing glanced at Lin Lin and said calmly, "The entire army will rest and regroup. We will fight again tomorrow!"

Lin Lin: "You!"

Wei Xing: "Get down! I am the commander!"

(End of this chapter)